Almost 50% of Brits got sunburned this summer in the name of beauty and half of those said they would do it again to get a tan.

The stats come from the latest survey conducted by Superdrug and Cancer Research UK, revealing the damaging lengths that people go to to achieve a ‘perfect’ tan.

Peter Beard, skin specialist at SkinGenesis said: “These results are really quite shocking. It is no secret that serious skin cancers are on the rise, yet more and more people are risking their health in the name of vanity.

“A tan, i.e. a darkening of the skin, is caused by the body’s production of melanin, which is a natural reaction to protect the skin against harmful UV rays. Although there is no such thing as ‘a healthy tan’, as it is simply evidence of skin damage, people do not have to burn their skin in order to achieve a healthy glow.”

To avoid literally burning for a tan, SkinGenesis’ Safety in the Sun campaign aims to educate people about the dangers of staying in the sun for too long and promotes the enjoyment of the summer weather whilst taking sensible precautions and following simple sun protection advice.

As holiday season draws to a close and with the autumnal climate arriving sooner than expected, people are being advised by a leading skin specialist to act now on sun-kissed skin ahead of the colder months.

Leading skin specialist, Peter Beard from SkinGenesis is advising people to prepare the skin now before the draining effects of autumn and winter cause lasting damage on the face, hands and neck.

Starting a regular skin protection programme well in advance of when the harsher elements kick in can pay dividends to a person’s complexion by developing a protective barrier to safeguard skin integrity.

Peter, who is director of treatments at the leading skin care specialist, says that taking time to introduce your skin to a new regime post-summer can rectify any sun damage early and prevent all the irritations and problems associated with such a dramatic change in seasons.

He said: “If you have spent two or three weeks in the sun, even returning to the present cooler weather can play havoc with the skin in terms of oil production or dry skin. By starting a dedicated skin regime now, you can build up your skin’s natural resistance to the harsher elements to maintain a healthy glow and avoid problems later down the line.

“The skin is the body’s largest organ, yet it is the most neglected throughout the year. The colder months are already setting in and judging by previous British winters, it is a good idea to start prepping the skin for what is likely to be one with a particularly vengeful bite.”

Peter has provided his top tips to instantly brighten the face and start prepping for the colder months:

Invest in a quality facial cleanser

There is no doubt that a good quality cleanser can bring dramatic benefits to the skin. Achieving a balance is key and with so many products available, it is important to find one that contains ingredients that are suitable to your skin type and pH. Many are very drying on the skin, so it’s worth shopping around and requesting samples from cosmetics counters so that you can try a product before you buy it.

Double up with a rich moisturiser

Many people who suffer from traumatic skin problems such as acne believe that moisturising the skin only causes the skin to be more oily, which is not necessarily true. Choosing an oil-free, rich moisturiser can actually work with the cleanser to balance the skin and restore lost moisture, which in turn will prevent problematic, excess oil production. The pH of a moisturiser should be no greater than 5.5 and should be rich in antioxidants and vitamins. A low pH ensures that the barrier function of the skin will be at its optimum and the vitamins and antioxidants will help the skin repair any accumulated sun damage.

Refresh and revive with a gentle skin peel

The skin exfoliates naturally on a regular basis, but the build up of cells, along with make-up traces and the daily grime, can cause pores to become blocked. Modern non-surgical cosmetic treatments, such as gentle chemical peels and microdermabrasion can give the skin a boost by freeing it of dead cells more quickly, leaving you with a refreshed, more polished complexion.

Eat a healthy diet

Diet is often overlooked but its effect on the skin is dramatic. Your skin is as good as the nutrients you feed it. The dos and don’ts of a healthy skin are simple. Don’t eat simple carbohydrates and transfats and do eat a diet rich in minerals, vitamins, proteins and essential fatty acids. As a guide eat a wide variety of vibrantly coloured fresh vegetables, fruits and salads together with oily fish such as sardines, mackerel and salmon and avoid processed foods, white bread and sugary sweets.

Choose ‘healthy’ make-up

Make up is not what it used to be – it has evolved with the development of ‘healthy’ cosmetics ranges that actually protect the skin, as well as enhancing your appearance. It’s important, particularly with sensitive skin, to use a make up range that cares for your skin and does not deplete it of its natural nutrients. Mineral make up brands are always best, many of which have been developed with problems like acne, thread veins and oiliness in mind.

Choose the right, natural colours for your skin

Simple changes to your usual make-up colour palette can make all the difference to your appearance. To look younger and more fresh-faced, swap black shades for navy blue or dark brown, which tend to be softer and make the eyes look whiter and brighter. Semi-permanent make-up can also ensure make-up stays put and can achieve a natural look for eyebrows that have thinned with age. Certain blush shades suit certain skin tones better than others too, so play around with the testers in store to ensure yours lifts your skin, rather than clashing with your tone or hair colour.

SkinGenesis is a non-surgical cosmetic expert with clinics in Leeds, Manchester and Chester.

A documentary aimed at young people called ‘Revealed’ on BBC Two at the weekend highlighted the dangers of sunbeds on young skin.

GPs say they are witnessing record levels of some of the most dangerous forms of skin cancer in young people.

Whether it is a sunbed you are using, or simply sunbathing in the natural sun light, too much UV radiation exposure can result in some nasty melanomas.

‘Revealed… Loving the Tan’ featured a case study called Amy, 24 from Sheffield, who developed skin cancer on her arm, and it was only by a chance mention to a GP about a suspicious mole that triggered her diagnosis.

SkinGenesis cannot stress enough the importance of being sensible in the sun. All summer we have been running our ‘Safety in the Sun’ campaign, providing advice on how to have fun in the sun, while protecting yourself from the dangers.

Our sun protection advice would be to simply not use sunbeds. Natural exposure to the sun is fine, as long as it is not abused and adequate sun protection precautions are taken, such as wearing sun cream, wearing a hat and avoiding the sun at peak times.

A perfect all-over tan is impossible to achieve, according to new research. The scientists suggest that instead of having one skin type, everyone has different skin regions meaning that some regions tan more easily than others.

Tests using UV light to tan volunteers found a significant difference between how a persons back tans and how their bottom tans. Their backs tanned a lot more easily, and this can explain why many people find it difficult to develop an all over tan.

It has also been shown than the top of the back is easier to tan than the legs, and that the outer arms will tan more easily than the inner arms. Therefore, what is burning for one region of skin may not be for another, which makes advice on how to long to spend in the sun more difficult to follow.

The study was carried out in order to investigate why the number of melanoma tumours varies depending on body site, and the research suggests it may be due to the different ways that areas of the skin react to the sun.

We offer a great sun protection guide to help you manage your sun exposure and protect your skin, because even areas of skin that are more difficult to tan are susceptible to burning.

SkinGenesis recognises the benefits of sun exposure and is encouraging families to get active and have fun in the warmer weather, whilst still raising awareness of the dangers from the sun’s harmful rays.

Peter Beard, skin expert at SkinGenesis, said: “We’re all bored of the same sun protection advice, which would often have you believe that all sun exposure is harmful to your health. This isn’t strictly true; in fact sunlight makes us feel good and is vital to help the body produce vitamin D, which is why we’re encouraging people to make the most of the sun, but to do so sensibly.”

The SkinGenesis girls were on hand at Mollington Village Sports Day on Saturday 17th July from 12pm – 5pm to educate participants and their families on how to take good care of their skin this summer, understand the risks and how to protect themselves naturally against harmful UVA and UVB radiation.

Attendees received a free UV Guardian wristband and personalised information on how to stay safe in the sun. They were also invited to head down to its clinic at Mollington Grange on Parkgate Road to book a free expert skin analysis.

Peter added: “Skin cancer can be deadly and is one of the most common diseases we face today. Being sensible and taking good care of the skin during the summer season can protect the skin from developing malignant melanoma.

“When you’re having fun, you often don’t realise how much sun you’ve had until it’s too late and you burn. There are various ways to protect yourself naturally, such as eating processed tomatoes and drinking coffee, in addition to the usual advice of wearing a high factor sunscreen, seeking shade at peak times and keeping hydrated to avoid sun related illness.

“Some sun protection creams do not protect against both types of radiation, so it’s important to check the labels to ensure you’re fully protected.”

• Antioxidants are essential: Intensely coloured berries and red grapes are a good source of antioxidants.

SkinGenesis has clinics in Leeds, Manchester and Chester and provides sun protection advice during all its consultations. UV imaging technology is provided during a free expert skin analysis to highlight areas of the skin that have already suffered damage from the sun’s radiation.

For more sun protection advice or general information on SkinGenesis visit http://www.skingenesis.co.uk or call the Chester clinic on 01244 853802.

Far reduction treatments could be on the cards for some of China’s population as wealth makes obesity rates soar.

Some citizens of this wealthy nation are finding that they have large disposable incomes, which means they’re spending more money and buying more things. This includes food, which has seen obesity rates soar in recent years.

Currently at 100 million, the number of obese people living in China is relatively small to its overall population, but experts predict that this number could double within just five years.

If China acts now, they can avoid a potential public health crisis further down the line.

Obesity is a gradual condition, but once people get there, it can be very difficult to get back into shape.

To avoid letting weight gain get too far, and to dodge being diagnosed as clinically obese, the traditional advice of following a healthy balance diet and getting regular exercise is just what the doctor ordered. Fat reduction treatments, such as mesotherapy can give your weightloss attempt a boost by breaking down fats and moving them naturally out of the lymphatic system.

Here’s a picture of one of our real clients who underwent mesotherapy fat reduction treatment – so you can see it really works:

The skin is the body’s largest organ, but a new exhibition in London reveals how it is often the most overlooked organ, which people seem to take for granted.

The exhibition at the Wellcome Collection, London has put the human skin under the spotlight highlighting what a crucial part of the body it is.

The human skin prevents infections, retains fluid and other parts of the anatomy, it keeps us cool by allowing us to perspire, and generally act as a barrier to protect us.

So isn’t it time we celebrated what a fantastic organ it really is and gave it some TLC?

The exhibition aims to increase visitors’ understanding of the skin and covers various topics, such as society’s obsession with eternal youth, make up, tattoos, right through to revealing why the skin is so difficult to repair and heal following traumas such as burns.

Facial skin is particularly important, as it will forever be the part of the body that people see first. Looking after and maintaining your skin’s condition is vital to achieving optimum skin health, and it just so happens that good skincare equals youthful looks.

Changing your lifestyle can be the first steps to achieving good skin health – stopping smoking, cutting down on alcohol, eating healthily and exercising are all ways in which you can maintain your skin. Skin peels, using quality moisturisers and non-surgical cosmetic treatments can also re-inject some life into the skin and re-train it to produce the collagen and elasticity that is lost with age.

Unwanted facial hair can be a real burden for some women and is a common symptom of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). IPL hair removal treatment can effectively remove unwanted hair from the face and body, enabling those affected to rebuild their confidence and feel feminine again.

We were particularly struck by a story published on the BBC website last week of a woman suffering PCOS who constantly carries a razor in her handbag incase the stubble starts to grow back during the day. She also gets up super-early every morning to ensure all her unwanted facial hair has disappeared before her partner wakes up.

This is no way to live and as with this lady, it can be exhausting and crushing on your self worth, femininity and self confidence.

The ‘We Can Face It’ campaign was launched earlier this month, with a host of celebrity faces backing it including small-screen stylist Jason Gardiner and TV doctor Dawn Harper, who together aim to raise awareness of the problem and let sufferers know that help is available.

With fantastic medical and technological advancements, people need no longer suffer in silence. Help is right there if you are ready to confide in a sympathic GP or other organisation, like SkinGenesis, who will treat your case with the utmost respect and privacy it deserves.

Over a series of treatments, IPL (Intense Pulsed Light Therapy) can erradicate unwanted facial hair, leaving you with a smooth, hair-free complexion leaving you to get on with your life. This treatment has increased in popularity over recent years and offers an alternative to hormonal medicines.

The most reputable skin treatment clinics will provide a free consultation to assess the problem and to advise on any treatments that may be suitable for your skin problem. At SkinGenesis, you are then encouraged to have a good think about it and contact us again if it’s something you are interested in. With such sensitive problems, it’s important to us that we put you in control of regaining the confidence you once had.